In a WJZ report published February 7th, 2018, AFSL partner Keith Franz spoke on the first criminal charges filed against the engineer in 2015’s fatal Amtrak crash in Philadelphia. On May 13^th, 2015 an Amtrak passenger train carrying more than 200 passengers from Washington, DC to New York derailed in north Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eight passengers were killed, including three from Maryland, and more than 200 others were injured.

Now three years later, for survivors and the families of those killed, “they’re very pleased that the court is going to move forward, and accept these criminal charges to hold the engineer accountable,” says Keith Franz, AFSL Partner representing eight of those injured.

Originally, a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian, However, a new judge is reversing that decision. Mr. Bostian now faces eight counts of involuntary manslaughter and 246 counts of reckless endangerment.

Of the case, Franz says it is different in Philadelphia and goes on to state that victims in Pennsylvania “are allowed to take their case into court directly, to seek charges directly from a judge.”

To see the full WJZ report, click here